Monday, May 29, 2017

Trump Era Memorial Day, The Fallen's Extinguished Fires

This morning I flipped on the television to see President Donald J. Trump at Arlington National Cemetery. It was nice to see a president with such a solemn look on his face, rather than the arrogance and disrespect by the previous occupant of the White House. A president who changed the day a young Navy SEAL died in Yemen during his watch.

I have read, in my lifetime, story after story of those who did not make it home. They gave the ultimate price. As a military veteran, I must remind all of you, today is about them. How incredible is it that we have those who laid down their lives for a country full of people they had never met.

Memorial Day is about our fallen. It is about honoring those heroes who died while in service.

Memorial Day is about those citizen soldiers who comprised the 3% of the colonists who were willing to stand against the greatest military power of the day to fight for the independence of a new nation because of a document dated July 4, 1776, and died while doing so.

Memorial Day is about those fighting men of the American Revolution who fought a well-armed professional military using basic weaponry and doing so with limited supplies. They pledged, despite the odds against them, their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for an idea, and gave their lives doing so. That idea being a new grand experiment based on the principles of liberty and self-governance.

Memorial Day is about a young military who, to protect our trade-routes and sea-going vessels, stormed the shores of Tripoli during the Barbary Wars.

Memorial Day is about the second revolution where, during the War of 1812, the young nation's new military once again faced off with the most powerful military in the world, against all odds, and out-gunned. Yet, those brave soldiers were willing to give up their lives for an idea called freedom - and they were victorious.

Memorial Day is about those brave soldiers who fought to support Americans during the westward movement, against fierce opposing forces, and incredible numbers during the Mexican-American war of liberation for those people suffering under Mexican President Santa Ana.

Memorial Day is about the more than 600,000 brothers who fought their own brothers and died on the battlefield in a bloody civil war between the States which defined America's resolve to truly reveal the meaning of the phrase: All Men Are Created Equal.

Memorial Day is about the rough riders who stormed San Juan Hill, and the brave Americans who did all and gave all that was necessary to protect America's interests in the war with Spain merely thirty years after the severe weakening of America's forces from the War Between The States.

Memorial Day is about the brave warriors in a war that America did not have to enter, but did to protect Europe against the war machines of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

Memorial Day is about the greatest generation as they gave their lives in yet another defense of freedom in Europe, and this time also in the Pacific. They died on beaches and in strange and unknown lands. They fought and died on the soil and over the waters, and America lost many troops and sailors, against the tyranny of the Axis Powers.

Memorial Day is about the fallen Americans who served to stop the spread of communism in Korea and Vietnam, bravely putting their lives on the line when the politicians were unwilling to fight to win.

Memorial Day is about those Americans who gave their lives during the Cold War - a war that was often not cold, and a war that was won because of our resolve to remain strong in the face of the enemy.

Memorial Day is about those Americans who served and died on the battlefield in the Persian Gulf War at a time before we fully understood the evil of what we were up against.

Memorial Day is about those Americans who have died in the wars since September 11, 2001 for the purpose of defending this nation against an enemy that vows to bring us to collapse and destruction.

Memorial Day is about the gunfire in the village, and the explosions on the roadway. Memorial Day is about the heroes who, knowing the dangers and believing in the cause, gave their lives for the freedom of people they didn't even know.

Memorial Day is about our fallen. It is a day for prayers and reflection. It is about thanking those we can no longer thank in person. It is about visiting the cemeteries where they lie, dropping off flowers and American Flags at their graves. Kneeling in prayer, and dropping tears on their name plates as we remember their sacrifice. And, to honor them, serving America ourselves in whatever manner we are capable of.

My grandfather, World War II Veteran Thurman Douglas Clark, and my dear friend, Vietnam Veteran Paul Young, rest at Riverside National Cemetery in Southern California, surrounded by heroes - surrounded by our blessed fallen who gave their lives so that we may live in liberty. Of my stops today, that cemetery is one of them. Thank you for your service.

Memorial Day is about an idea called freedom, and remembering those that gave their lives to protect that idea. America, may God shed His Grace on Thee.

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